Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity

In the wake of Trump’s election and uncertain times ahead, MASGD has compiled a basic resource guide for LGBTQ Muslims in need of mental health support. Each listing provides a link to the organization’s website, a description of what services they provide, and includes annotations that specify if they are geared towards Muslim people of specific descent/identities (e.g. Black, South Asian, South West Asian, or North African) or if they have resources to accommodate our diverse and complex identities and experiences.

**All included providers/services/resources have been minimally vetted in terms of quality of experience for LGBTQ Muslim people. Even so, please note this list is not comprehensive and MASGD as an organization does not expressly endorse any of the following providers or services. This resource guide is not sponsored or sanctioned by the organizations listed. The resource guide does not replace counseling or other forms of therapy and is simply offered as a community resource, which we hope to build upon in the future.

If there is a mental health resource you are aware of and you don't see it listed here, we invite you to contact us at
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Helplines and Hotlines

Crisis Textline

What is it?

Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via text

What can they help me with?

Moving from a “hot moment” to a cool calm.

Guidance through creating a plan to stay safe and healthy.

Are they aware of issues affecting queer Muslims?

Not specifically. Their main concern is to help those who contact them to find a calm space to be in.

Website

Contact

Text HELLO to 741741

Hours

24/7

Cost

Free

DESI LGBTQ Helpline for South Asians (DeQH)

What is it?

A South Asian LGBTQ-focused helpline run by a trained staff of volunteers. They include people from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Burma, the Maldives and Tibet, as well as diaspora/immigrant communities all over the world.

What can they help me with?

· Questions on gender, identity, coming out.

· Dealing with family, culture, or faith.

· Trying to find community in local areas.

· Finding a good doctor, lawyer, or therapist.

· Advice for a friend or family member.

· Listening as callers work through things.

Are they aware of issues affecting queer Muslims?

Given the huge presence of Muslims in South Asia, many of the volunteers are aware and can understand the intersections of Islam and queerness, as well as other complicated faith, sexuality and gender-based relationships.

Hours

Cost

Trans Lifeline

What is it?

Trans Lifeline is a non-profit dedicated to the well being of transgender people.

What can they help me with?

· Hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people.

· Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs members of the trans community might have.

· They will only call emergency services with your expressed consent.

· They are politically well-informed and aware of the range and diversity of issues affecting trans people of color.

Are they aware of issues affecting queer Muslims?

Trans Lifeline is committed to educating themselves around the concerns of transgender folks and have published a survey that may allow them to specifically think about the concerns of trans people who identify as Muslim. [View the survey.]

Website

Contact

Cost

Free

The Trevor Project

What is it?

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

Are they aware of issues affecting queer Muslims?

While they do not advertise specifically to queer people of color or queer Muslims, they can still very much guide you to mental health resources in your area that specifically work with Muslim, Arab and/or SWANA (South West Asian North African) queer and trans individuals.

Website

Contact

Hours

24/7

Cost

Free

Mental Health Provider Directories

National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)

What is it?

The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN) is a space for queer, gender non-conforming and trans therapists of color to build, resource, and support one another as clinicians and healers.

What can they help me with?

Provide a network of support for queer and trans people of color (QTPoC) seeking. transformative mental health resources rooted in social justice and liberation.

Supporting QTPoC to utilize their relationships and collective power to build capacity for healing in their communities.

Website

Contact

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cost

Costs are based on the individual therapists and their own resources.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health)

What is it?

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The link above can point you to their page dedicated specifically to African American Mental Health resources.

Are they aware of issues affecting queer Muslims

Website

Contact

No direct contact method

Cost

Directory is free; therapist fees vary.

In-Person Groups

Feminine-of-Center Middle Eastern Queer Womyn Trans (FOCMEQWT )

What is it?

A safe space for [feminine of center] middle-eastern queer womyn and trans minorities to share their personal stories, struggles, and triumphs of surviving modern day challenges unique to this demographic(s); in hopes of fostering compassion and understanding through community support among those who may share similar experiences and/or face similar challenges.

What can they help me with?

In-person meetings for people in the San Francisco Bay Area, providing with a network of like-minded others and a strong base and supportive community. Their group of objective is co-create safe spaces for open discussions around those who share similar identities, stories and struggles.

Website

Contact

Cost

Free

Pacific Center

What is it?

For individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area, this spot can be a great place to meet and discuss issues surrounding many aspects of queer life and diversity including being a queer Muslim in the U.S. Their mental health meetups can help people interact with others going through similar issues and traumas.

Are they aware of issues facing queer Muslims?

Website

Contact

Cost

Free

Online Resources

The resources provided below are not for matter of urgency but can provide reading or viewing material that can aid in dealing with both issues of mental health and allow people to educate themselves on how to talk about queerness and faith.

Color Lines - Self Care

An online article put together to guide people of color through unsteady times when people are feeling the heat of the system. This guide can help people on their journey to self care, giving simple but effective advice.

Website

Gay Middle Eastern Men’s Group (GMEM)

Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV)

What is it?

MPV endorses the human and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals. They support full equality and inclusion of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, in society and in the Muslim community.

Cost

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health)

Pacific Center

Transnational Queer Underground

What is it?

A website dedicated to criticizing racism, classism, ableism, sexism, hetero/homonormativity and other forms of oppression by members using their preferred means of expression (drawing, writing, singing, painting, photos, comics, films, etc.) in order to connect with each other and exchange their ideas and experiences. Anonymous participation is permitted.